Flutters at night

[Dawnilator]

I have had PAF for many years. I have one or two short (1-2 hours) A fib incidents per year, always with a known cause, caffeine, meds, etc. Recently I had a major bout after a night of vomiting from a virus and I got dehydrated and could not swallow my PIP meds (Flecainide, Eliquis and Metoprolol) and started passing out. After a trip to the hospital I was told to take these drugs daily. The side effects were life threatening so I gradually stopped all three and went back to PIP. I have an ablation scheduled in May.

My question is that I now have little fluttering in my chest when I am in bed. It wakes me up. Apple watch says it's a "poor recording". I can get rid of it if I cough and breath deeply. the main issue is that it terrifies me. But it's very light and not painful or cause any other issue. Is this Atrial Flutter?

Thank you for the support this group offers, I have learned so much!

[CDreamer]

Unfortunately without more information it’s impossible to say. Atrial Flutter is a regular rhythm whilst AFib is irregular so if you may be able to tell if you take your pulse but better if you could have an ECG recording. Apple Watch algorithm will only identify AFib as far as I know whilst the Kardia will identify other arrythmias such as Flutter.

[Dawnilator in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you CDreamer, I do have a Kardia, I will take it to the bedroom and check it tonight if it happens again. thank you for responding.

[OzJames]

it could be ectopics i get them and sounds like that maybe try doing ECG with arm on table and be still for a few minutes before you start then gentle contact don't push finger hard as movement can give that reading also stay away from electronic devices can also create disturbance.

I also get cold sores, the HSV virus in particular and on a couple of occasions i've also had an episode of AF at the same time so i dug into google and found a Trial comparing 2 groups one that regularly got HSV and the other no HSV ever. The HSV group had a 60% higher chance of getting AF. It was thought that the inflammatory effect of the HSV virus could be responsible. If that extends to your virus i'm not sure but worth thinking back at other episodes for a connection

[CDreamer in reply to OzJames]

I had very similar, it had gotten so bad in recent years because I am on immune suppressants that I was referred to infectious diseases and I was prescribed prophylactic anti-viral meds, not had HSV since with consequence that my AF episodes have also diminished. I always had anti-viral medication on hand and began a course to stop the HSV when it erupted but since starting the prophylactic course - nothing.

[OzJames in reply to CDreamer]

CD that’s interesting I’ll try to find the study and post it. I’m now going to check history in my AF log and line that up with my purchase of Famciclivor for a one hit dose at onset of HSV outbreak to see if it correlates with previous AF visits. My GP suggested I start a daily routine of Lysine and olive leaf tablets which may help prevent outbreaks

[Thomas45]

"life threatening side-effects" ? What are they? Have you had any? Of your three medications I took Flecainide 150mg x 2 a day for 10 years without any side effects. I was never prescribed the other two.

[Karendeena in reply to Thomas45]

Did you not take an anticoagulant? Also, are you off medication?

[Thomas45 in reply to Karendeena]

This should have been sent to Dawnilator not me. I take my anticoagulant, warfarin, happily, daily for the rest of my life.

[secondtry]

Maybe try 3 pillows and if woken up with the issue try humming, it works for me and even my cardiologist gave it some credence.

[Karendeena]

Not sure it's flutter but in my opinion your are dicing with trouble if you don't take anticoagulants prescribed to reduce the risk of a stroke. You can be having an episode of AF and not knowing it and this in itself can be dangerous.Where did you get the information that the side effects from the medication can be life threatening? All tablets carry risks.

[plopper]

I had a stroke caused by AFib. It took me 2 years to resume an almost normal life and my stroke was not major. I would work with my doctors to be on some form of anticoagulation. I have been on Eliquis for 7 years and plan on taking it for the rest of my life.